A THUG who attacked two strangers as they walked through an alleyway late at night has been jailed after admitting the crime at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Matthew Illidge, pictured right, of no fixed abode, inflicted “mindless drunken violence” on his victims after they walked along Wardcliffe Road in Weymouth with a female companion.

During the incident on February 25, the 23-year-old and an accomplice – who has not yet been arrested – punched and beat the two young men.

One of the victims was struck five times in the face before he was able to seek help from a neighbour living nearby.

Judge John Harrow said the attack took place “late at night, in public, against people who had done nothing to you”.

“You assaulted two people quite gratuitously,” he said.

He sentenced Illidge to eight months in prison for the offence of affray.